ScotRail is making fun days out easy this year - Danni Menzies shares some of her favourite destinations in Scotland

As a teenager with a huge sense of adventure, desperate to step into adulthood and experience true independence, I started adventuring by rail.

I had a real passion for art and design, (yep, at one point pretty sure I fancied myself as the next Tracy Emin) I loved sculpture, textiles and basically everything design. Desperate to get into art school, when I learnt of the art scene a stone’s throw away by train in Dundee, I was off.

I’ve always found getting the train has been quite therapeutic, being able to take in the countryside views, mountains and coastline. Something I do so often, up, and down the country.

The V&A Dundee building in itself is a work of art and is just a moment's walk from the train station.

Designed by award-winning Japanese architects Kengo Kuma & Associates, the V&A runs workshops and talks throughout the year.

My best friend and I signed up for a few talks and courses there. The one that stands out the most was the calligraphy work shop we did. We loved it.

I love their current exhibition, Tartan. In it you can see pieces from Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen to Jackie Stewart’s racing helmet, to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s trousers.

I’m obsessed with tartan and once rented a Balenciaga tartan suit jacket for a Burns night raising funds for Doddie Weir whom you can also see a portrait of in the exhibition.

For me this really is a must-see show of the year. Travelling through to Dundee by train for these day courses is where my love of travelling by train came from.

In more recent times you’re much more likely to find me hopping on the train to venture somewhere a little more rural.

I’m always looking to try something different, which is why I’m so excited about ScotRail’s new Inspiration Hub which has amazing ideas about the beautiful regions of Scotland, from Aryshire to the Borders and from Fife to Dundee and most importantly the journey planning is just at your fingertips.

You decide where you want to go and you can book your rail tickets then and there and take advantage of brilliant offers and discounts.

Scotland through the window is stunning, rolling hills, weather that changes at every turn and when you travel to Dunkeld you get just that.

From Glasgow or Edinburgh, it’s about an hour and a half and if you’re venturing further north towards Inverness it’s a perfect pit stop for the night.

Getting off at the quaint little country station it’s a 10-minute walk into Dunkeld itself. Walking over the bridge you get a beautiful view of the river and my favourite place for a bite is the Tay Bank.

Stroll up to the Hermitage, there’s also great mountain bike routes if you’ve brought your bike on the train. For a bite on-the-go Aran Bakery is top notch. And when you’re heading back to the train The Craft Diner is very tasty burger van by the station.

Dunkeld is somewhere that I’ve ventured to many times by rail but somewhere that I always admire while passing on the train is North Berwick. So that’s next on my little hit list. Walking in the sea air with my little dog is up next.

My favourite thing about Scotland is that you have so much on your doorstep. I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface, but I’m now ready to take the train and explore more of our wonderful country.

Get more inspiration on great ideas and places to explore with ScotRail